5 Players Atlanta Braves Should Target Before 2014 Trade Deadline

5 Players Atlanta Braves Should Target At 2014 Trade Deadline

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As the 2014 trade deadline approaches, the Atlanta Braves have come across some places on their team that need upgraded. While they have an extra starting pitcher on their roster, their offense has struggled with their consistency over the course of the season. It's more realistic that they can get their bullpen struggles straightened out before they can make a trade for a position player, and the bullpen is where they should focus.

5. Chase Headley

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5. Chase Headley

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I know I said the Braves need bullpen help, but some power from third base wouldn't be such a bad thing. The $ 10 million that he is owed this season might make this a tough trade for the team to make, but the Braves certainly have pieces that could be intriguing to other teams. This is an unlikely trade for the Braves, but if they could pull this off, it would help their offense immensely.

4. Marc Rzepczynski

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4. Marc Rzepczynski

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Even though he has a name that is quite hard to pronounce, Rzepczynski has what the Braves are needing in their bullpen. He has five years of experience and has been decently successful. While the Braves need a bullpen arm, they are lacking a dominant left-handed pitcher, as Luis Avilan has struggled over the course of the season. The only problem with this is the fact that Rzepczynski doesn't have a dominating arm out of the bullpen.

3. James Russell

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3. James Russell

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Russell is another solid bullpen option for the Braves. Even though the Cubs might not be looking to improve any part of their team, they could use a solid starting pitcher to give their rotation some experience. Russell is in his fifth season as a bullpen pitcher, but much like Rzepczynski, he doesn't have a dominating arm that would be nice out of the back end of the bullpen. He would still be a good arm for the Braves to go for.

2. Aaron Loup

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2. Aaron Loup

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A young arm isn't necessarily what the Braves are looking for, but Loup would give them some leverage from the left-handers in their bullpen. The Blue Jays are in the market for a veteran starting pitcher, and this could be a perfect fit for the Braves. He has a little more of a live arm than the aforementioned pitchers, and he could be the solution the team needs to help their bullpen.

1. Jake McGee

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1. Jake McGee

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McGee is probably one of the best left-handed relievers that the Braves have a chance to get. The Rays could use veteran leadership in the rotation after David Price is shipped out. He has a strong, dominant arm that has a chance to be a true stopper against right and left-handed hitters. If he were to join the Braves staff, he has the stuff to change the way their bullpen is used and help the team get to the playoffs at the end of the season.

Steven Whitaker is an Atlanta Braves writer for Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @CoachStevenWhit or add him to your circles on Google